Optimistic report on Spiezio

- Frank Blackman, OF THE EXAMINER STAFF

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, July 11, 1998

1998-07-11 04:00:00 PDT INEUP CHANGE: With Christenson unavailable to start in center, Howe decided to use Bip Roberts there instead of Jack Voigt, who started the series opener Thursday. Primarily an infielder, Roberts said he'd started in center twice last season. "This will be like the first day of school," he said. Give Roberts an "A." He didn't have a ball hit his way until the eighth, but it was a liner headed into the gap in left-center. Roberts got a great break on the ball and ra -- OAKLAND - Scott Spiezio went through an extensive workout before Friday night's game, the injured second baseman fielding balls on the side, then doing the same thing at his position, hitting in the cage, and finally running the bases.

"I feel pretty decent," Spiezio said later. "Ground balls, there's really no problem. Hitting, there's no problem. The only problem is flat-out sprints. Right now, I can only go 70 percent before there's pain. I need to get that up around 90 percent - at least 90 percent. And that's going to take some time."

Spiezio tore cartilage in his left knee June 15 and was operated on three days later. When the doctors went in, they discovered more damage than anticipated. At the time, the team said Spiezio might be out a full six weeks instead of four.

But that estimation may have been too pessimistic.

Spiezio was pleased enough with his workout Friday to believe it is possible for him to be ready sooner.

"I think I can be playing in the minors in four (weeks after the surgery)," he said.

Spiezio is one of the A's hardest workers, so it isn't surprising he thinks he can cut into his down time. Still, there is a danger he will push himself too hard and reinjure himself. Manager Art Howe knows that.